South Manchester covers the south of Manchester as far south as the M60. It contains amongst others, the following neighbourhoods:

Didsbury

Hulme: With not such a bad reputation as Moss Side, Hulme is the heart of Manchester's counterculture, although it may not seem like much to a lonely backpacker. The area has suffered the consequences of inept town planning since back to back terraced housing was knocked down to build concrete blocks in the 1970s and the concrete was knocked down in the 1990s. Now gentrification is slowly taking affect and pushing local people out of the area. Up until the mid 1990s this was a hotbed of squatting. It is one of the birth places of the European dance scene and home to many artists, punks, anarchists, environmental activists, free party people and generally unwashed never-do-good trouble makers, as well as vibrant multicultural community. A scene which can be difficult but rewarding to hook up with. [6].

Moss Side: Just to the west of Rusholme, Moss Side is another multicultural community. This area has a very bad reputation due to a history of gang violence. However, it is worth a visit, for its Caribbean take-aways and pubs as well as Alexandra Park, a beautiful large victorian park. [7].

Old Trafford:[8] Notable for two large sporting venues: Old Trafford Cricket Ground. [9] the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club and Old Trafford Football Ground [10] The home of Manchester United Football Club [11]. It is also within walking distance of the glamorous Salford Quays redevelopment.

Whalley Range: Referred to as "Leafy Whalley Range" is one of Manchester's first and finest suburbs, built by local banker and businessman Samuel Brooks as "a desirable estate for gentlemen and their families". Grand Victorian Housing within beautiful tree lined streets that border with Alexandra Park. [12].

Chorlton-Cum-Hardy: Known as Chorlton is one of the hippest suburbs of Manchester and residential area of choice for most of the cities arts, theatre, and music crowd. It offers a wide range of continental style cafe bars and eateries with trendy shopping around Beach Road and Chorlton Green. [13].

Contents

Get in

Around Old Trafford the use of public transport is highly recommended for visitors, as the roads can take 3 hours to clear after big events such as a football match! Local travellers can take the Manchester Metrolink, getting off at Old Trafford station. This is located right next to the cricket ground, whilst the football ground is a 10 minute walk up the road. There are services every 6-12 minutes.

For football fan travellers a much more preferable and quick option is rail: a dedicated station is right behind the football stadium's South stand, open only on matchdays: it is called Manchester United FC Halt station. Trains are provided by Northern Rail and there are about 5 or so services before and after the match to the mainline Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations. Tickets cost about £2.40 and the journey takes 10 minutes.

See

Both the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds are very impressive buildings with a few sights, such as the Matt Busby statue, worth a look.

Didsbury

Historically, this was the home of many of the wealth merchants who traded in the city and is an area with strong Jewish links. It was further developed as railways grew with much more housing built in the 1930's. Now you will find a mixed academic cosmopolitan community with a smattering of media stars. The area is worth visiting for the remnants of an English village feel.

Most buses from Oxford Road and the Wilmslow Road that carry on further south will bring you to Didsbury.

Along Wilmslow Road you will find a small independent butcher, cheese merchant, and fishmongers. Heading a little further south past the shops will bring you to pubs clustered around the remnants of a village green, Parsonage Gardens, the lovely Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, and access to the semi-rural Mersey valley. Check out the small tea room in the Fletcher Moss Gardens (only open afternoons at the weekend).

Do

Old Trafford football stadium

Watch sport at Old Trafford, see either Manchester United Football Club, one of the most famous and successful football clubs in the world or Lancashire Country Cricket Club.

Manchester United Football Club, (A dedicated station is right behind the football stadium's South stand: it is called Manchester United FC Halt station. Trains are provided by Northern Rail and there are about five or so services before and after the match to the mainline Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations.), [1]. Open only on match days. Generally, a very high quality of football. Tickets for matches against lesser opposition are quite easy to come by (the stadium holds around 75,000 people) and can be purchased from the club's official website or the Ticketing & Memebrship Office. League matches with the top clubs, Arsenal or Chelsea, and local rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as competitive matches against any of the big European teams (Barcelona, Inter Milan etc.) will only very rarely be available on general sale.

Lancashire Country Cricket Club, (Take the Manchester Metrolink, getting off at Old Trafford station. This is located right next to the cricket ground. There are services every 6-12 minutes.), [2].

The Trafford Centre is a large indoor shopping and entertainment centre. Activities include LegoLand Discovery Centre Manchester.

Buy

The Manchester United Megastore is located in the East stand of the football stadium, from where many kinds of Man Utd merchandise can be bought. Likewise, the cricket ground also contains a small shop for cricket merchandise.

Eat

At the football stadium, refreshments are available at half time: crisps, KitKat chunkies, pies, Pepsi, tea and coffee. A meal deal, with tea/coffee, pack of crisps and KitKat, costs £2.80 approx.

Drink

Alcohol is not permitted in either the Old Trafford football or cricket grounds, and will be confiscated by stewards. There are, however, numerous bars and cafes in the district for pre- or post-match drinks.

Sleep

Manchester City Centre is 15 mins away by metro.

The culinary delights of Rusholme's curry mile are no more than 30 mins away.